Khalid Duke making plays for Kansas State Wildcats after unusually long injury layoff
.jpg "Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore (41) celebrates with linebackers Khalid Duke (29) and Nick Allen (52) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)")
If Khalid Duke had to summarize his emotions with one word following an eight-tackle, three-sack performance against Texas Tech last week, he would probably go with “relief.”
“It’s been a long time,” Duke said. “When I finally started making plays out there, it felt good.”
That type of strong individual showing was, indeed, a long time coming for Duke. The 6-foot-4 and 246-pound junior linebacker with the Kansas State football team missed all but three games with a torn ACL last season. He was also unable to participate in spring practices and preseason camp this year. His time away from football lasted so long that some wondered if his body would prevent him from regaining his old form.
Duke didn’t suit up for the Wildcats in a practice setting until late August, when classes were already underway.
Back then, even he doubted himself.
“The recovery process was the hardest part,” Duke said. “It was a long recovery and mine was longer than most people. Dealing with the pain wasn’t easy. When I finally got back out there it was definitely weird at first. I didn’t have all my confidence back. (Linebackers) coach (Steve) Stanard helped me with stuff like footwork and getting my knees right.”
It may have taken Duke longer than expected to return to the football field following a significant knee injury, but the Wildcats are happy to have him back.
Duke was one of K-State’s most versatile players before his injury. He proved he can still help the Wildcats in a variety of ways against the Red Raiders. Not only did he finish that game with three sacks, he found a way to make five more tackles and make life miserable on Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith.
“It felt great,” Duke. “I definitely needed this game for my confidence.”
It came as no surprise when he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
“We brought him a lot,” K-State football coach Chris Klieman said. “We put him on the line of scrimmage and let him do what he does really well. We also dropped him into coverage. I was excited, because he had a big smile on his face when we told him he was going to get to rush the quarterback. He made some big plays.”
He might not be done.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah also had three sacks against Texas Tech. Opposing offensive lines will have to account for both him and Duke if the Wildcats continue using Duke as a pass-rusher.
“When you have got guys like Felix and Khalid, they are just great pass rushers,” K-State defensive lineman Brendan Mott said. “They help open up things for everyone ... It’s great to have Duke back. He is a natural at it. As we saw on Saturday, he’s starting to look like his normal self.”
Duke isn’t trying to get caught up in one good game. After all the hard work he put in to get back on the field, he’s happy simply to be playing again.
Still, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about his future at the moment.
This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Khalid Duke making plays for Kansas State Wildcats after unusually long injury layoff."